"A daytime speed limit of 45 mph on Lake Winnipesaukee was hotly debated when it was put in place eight years ago, but experts say the restriction hasn’t had a big effect on public safety..."

" Public safety was the reason behind the speed limits, but Keenan said that, in his opinion, alcohol plays a much bigger role than speed in boating accidents."

"Capt. Tim Dunleavy, of the New Hampshire Marine Patrol, said his officers write five to 10 boat speeding tickets a year, with most coming after sunset, when the lower limit applies. He said the speed limit law doesn’t seem to have affected accident numbers. Like Keenan, Dunleavy said he thinks alcohol is the greatest factor in boating accidents. “Historically, we have had few speed-related accidents,” Dunleavy said. “The fact that accident numbers haven’t changed is no surprise."

_________________America is one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Not just for people who look or worship a certain way.

Wasn't the last fatal accident the one that involved Erica Blizzard, the accident that made national headlines given the circumstances? Because a boat cannot be pulled over without probable cause perhaps some of our intoxicated boaters are slowing down to make sure they won't be stopped. This could well decrease the number and severity of accidents. But as we all know, even if a boat backs up and injures a skier with his propeller that counts in the accident data. No one suggested that a SL would have an effect on this kind of accident. Quite frankly I'm pleased to see difference in terms of family friendly boating and the increased number of pontoon boats seen on the lake attests to this. If you read the forums on offshoreonly.com it is clear that Winnipesaukee is no longer a major destination for these obnoxious boats. We have friends who live off rt. 171. They used to hear these boats all the way up there. That all changed 8 years ago.

AMY B WROTE: If you read the forums on offshoreonly.com it is clear that Winnipesaukee is no longer a major destination for these obnoxious boats. We have friends who live off rt. 171. They used to hear these boats all the way up there. That all changed 8 years ago.

ALSO PART OF THE LACONIA DAILY SUN STORY:

Kory Keenan, who sells Formula boats easily capable of breaking that speed limit, says there continues to be a big demand for fast boats, in the same way people want sports cars capable of 200 mph even though they never drive them that fast.

“How many people drive around in a Lamborghini and never open it up?” asked Keenan, manager of Paugus Bay Marina.

People like the handling and the look of fast boats, and the looks they get from others.

He said the speed limit law doesn’t seem to have affected accident numbers. Like Keenan, Dunleavy said he thinks alcohol is the greatest factor in boating accidents. “Historically, we have had few speed-related accidents,” Dunleavy said. “The fact that accident numbers haven’t changed is no surprise."

_________________America is one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Not just for people who look or worship a certain way.

Though now the SL gives the MP probable cause to pull over some of the speeding yahoos who ignore said SL. Perhaps some of the people who have overindulged and still choose to captain their boats slow down so as not to have probable cause to be pulled over. As noted in the past, no one thought a SL would prevent any of the many accidents involving slow moving or stationary boats (like prop injuries to skiers or fishermen falling out of their stationary boat). This kind of accident accounts for the majority of boating accidents on the lake. Check out the posts on offshoreonly.com if you think the SL did nothing to keep these obnoxious boats off the lake. I'm happy to see that so many pontoon boats have replaced these really obnoxious ones. The lake is a better place today.

He said the speed limit law doesn’t seem to have affected accident numbers. Like Keenan, Dunleavy said he thinks alcohol is the greatest factor in boating accidents. “Historically, we have had few speed-related accidents,” Dunleavy said. “The fact that accident numbers haven’t changed is no surprise."

Amy B wrote:Though now the SL gives the MP probable cause to pull over some of the speeding yahoos who ignore said SL.

They have always had that authority. Of course your train of thought contradicts the quote of the Captain who says nothing has changed.

Amy B wrote:As noted in the past, no one thought a SL would prevent any of the many accidents involving slow moving or stationary boats (like prop injuries to skiers or fishermen falling out of their stationary boat). This kind of accident accounts for the majority of boating accidents on the lake.

But golly, that is what opponents to the change in the language of the law argued and you said nooooo it will make the lake so much safer!

Fake News Hawk wrote:Alcohol consumption drunken has gone down?

Bait and switch heh? We are talking speed limits....alcohol consumption has been and still is the major cause of accidents, not speeding boats.

_________________America is one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Not just for people who look or worship a certain way.

Get over it my friend. The SL was widely supported by the people of the Lake's Region and their legislators. And these people would fight tooth and nail to preserve it. The lake is a better place today than before the SL. And to read on the offshoreonly type of forums that the yahoos who were ruining this lake are avoiding Winni is good news indeed!

Now that I think about it, the algae explosion that occurred when oversized boats first appeared in numbers has been going down (until recently). Algae forced a new approach to water intakes, and placing them deeper. A neighbor, trying out his camera, took a picture for us:

Whatever the cause, whatever the reason, the lake is a better place today since the SL. Good riddance to the kind of boater who bemoans the present situation (see offshoreonly.com and similar sites) and who no longer trailers up their obnoxious loud overpowered boat.

obervantone wrote:As the good Captain said, speeding boats were not a problem and the speed limit has had zero impact reducing accidents on the lake.

"Accidents" are a random occurrence: how do we know that this Labor Day weekend will result in zero crashes among overpowered, oversexed, overpainted, over-distracted, over-noised, and oversized boats?

Why are you wishing for small-boat crashes?

_________________..."The beauty of being a liberal is that history always begins this morning..."

Fake News Hawk wrote:Accidents" are a random occurrence: how do we know that this Labor Day weekend will result in zero crashes among overpowered, oversexed, overpainted, over-distracted, over-noised, and oversized boats? Question

As you did back then and you continue to do now, ignore the facts and continue lying. You and your paid lobbyists were able to convince legislators that the lies were real, but now years of boating has proven you wrong. The facts are the facts.

Exactly WHAT is an "oversexed" boat?

Fake News Hawk wrote:Why are you wishing for small-boat crashes?

Gee, you've said the crashes involve overpowered, oversexed,overpainted (no doubt a key factor in your mind) and oversized boats...where are the small-boat crashes you are wishing for?

_________________America is one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Not just for people who look or worship a certain way.